Pancreatic cancer is one of the most deadly of all cancers. It accounts for only 2 percent of cancer cases but is the fourth leading cause of cancer death, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).

The pancreas is a gland located in the middle of the abdomen behind the stomach. The pancreas has two functions: as an exocrine gland, which produces digestive enzymes, and as an endocrine gland, which produces hormones such as insulin and glucagon, which control blood sugar. Most cases of pancreatic cancers occur in the exocrine cells.

Pancreatic cancer occurs when malignant cells form in the gland. The disease progresses rapidly but usually produces no symptoms in the early stages. Pancreatic cancer usually remains undetected until it has spread locally and invaded surrounding tissues or to other areas of the body. The first signs of the disease are typically weight loss and jaundice, the yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes.

The causes of pancreatic cancer are not known. However, major risk factors include smoking and hereditary conditions associated with predisposition to cancer. Patients whose immediate family members have had pancreatic cancer have a risk factor up to three times higher than the normal population.

An estimated 33,730 Americans will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2006, with 32,300 deaths predicted, according to the ACS. The disease occurs slightly more often in men than women. Approximately 5 percent of people diagnosed with cancer of the exocrine pancreas will survive 5 years or more.